Posted by
wildflowers (North East Texas - Zone 7b) on Dec 4, 2011 6:06 PM concerning plant:
Passiflora incarnata is native to Texas as well as Midwestern and Southeastern states. It’s an exception to most passifloras, being deciduous, it can survive winter freezes and comes back from its roots. Commonly called Maypops. They are a host plant for caterpillars of the gulf fritillary butterfly. Mature fritallaries deposit pinhead sized orange eggs on the leaves. Passionflower is both an edible and medicinal plant.
Posted by
jmorth (central Illinois) on Dec 13, 2011 1:44 PM concerning plant:
Passionflower is a climber/sprawler utilizing tendrils. Single flowers arise from stalks from axils of leaves up to 3" across w/ several petals and a purple fringe, 5 dropping stamens around the pistil which displays 3 - 4 curved stigmas.
Fruit (edible) oval, smooth, couple inches long is yellow when ripe. Fruit has lot of seeds w/ gelatinous coverings.
Wildflower in south half of Illinois that prefers habitat at edge of woods, ditch banks, fencerows, roadsides, and along railroads.
Maypops designation resultant of practice of children stomping on the fruit to make it 'pop'; also, because the following season, it 'may pop' up anywhere (often emerges from kill-back to roots in different place) and is rather slow to make an appearance (a case of 'patience is the essence of growth').
American Indians used root to treat boils, cuts, inflammation, and earaches. Tea made from plant used to soothe nerves.
I've had good success w/ seeds.
Posted by
plantladylin (Sebastian, Florida - Zone 10a) on Feb 17, 2013 9:49 AM concerning plant:
Passiflora incarnata is also a native wildflower of Florida, found in disturbed sites, along roadsides and woodland margins throughout the state. Even though it is considered a tropical vine it can survive freezing winter temperatures with new shoots sprouting from the soil in spring. Growing to 15 feet, with large dark green deeply lobed leaves, this twining vine rambles along the ground and climbs up and over other vegetation. The Wild Passion Flower vine bears large, up to 3 to 4 inch wide lavender-purple flowers whose nectar attracts many butterflies; and this vine also serves as a host plant for the caterpillars of several butterfly species, including the Gulf Fritillary and Zebra Longwing.
The fruit of Passiflora incarnata is a large green oval berry, up to 3" in length, which is edible once it ripens to the yellow color. This Passiflora got it's common name "Maypop" because when the ripe fruit falls off the vine and is stepped on, it makes a loud pop. Children have always had fun stomping the berries to make them "pop".
Posted by
SongofJoy (Clarksville, TN - Zone 6b) on Dec 7, 2011 2:04 PM concerning plant:
Sometimes difficult to establish here. Once established, it flourishes and can spread rather quickly. It is fast-growing and one of the hardiest of the passionflowers.
This plant is the State Wildflower of Tennessee.
Posted by
Catmint20906 (PNW WA half hour south of Olympia - Zone 8a) on Aug 27, 2014 9:23 PM concerning plant:
Wild Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) produces unique lavender blossoms in midsummer to early fall. Native to eastern North America, it is the exclusive larval host plant for the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, and is a nonexclusive host plant for the Variegated Fritillary. Passiflora incarnata also attracts bees, and its edible fruit (maypops) attract birds. It also has been used in traditional herbal medicine, with continued interest in the anti-anxiety properties of its methanol extract.
Posted by
StephGTx (Texas - Zone 8a) on Sep 18, 2011 6:08 PM concerning plant:
I am very thankful to the wonderful friends who introduced me to this wonderful vine. I love the flowers, fruit, and best of all the butterfies.
This plant is a Tx. Native and grows very well here with little care. It is a host plant for the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly.
In the herbal realms it is used to help treat anxiety, back pain, insomnia, and IBS.